ARB approves modest rear addition at 20 Willow Street after discussion of siding and roof

Jim Metzger, the architect for the owners of 20 Willow Street, presented a first-time ARB application for a modest rear addition that would add a second-floor primary bedroom suite, a family room on the first floor and a second full bathroom. Metzger said the addition is small (about 17 by just under 15 feet) and that the team intends to match the existing house by painting the existing cedar siding and using LP SmartSide for the new work.

Metzger explained that the proposed corrugated metal roof was selected to ease flashing where the new roof meets the existing roof and that the design maintains a 9-foot first-floor ceiling to preserve the house’s proportions. He told the board the deck at the rear would be reduced in size and that the team plans to include a snow-guard detail to prevent sliding snow.

Board members encouraged the applicant to consider whether recladding or reroofing larger portions of the house might be appropriate given the existing finish condition; Metzger said the team will replace any cedar siding found to be in poor condition during work and that the roof removal is limited to a small section where the new roof will meet the old roof. Chair moved to approve the drawings as presented; the board voted in favor ('Aye'). Metzger said the team expects a four-to-six-month schedule and will finalize construction details with contractors.

The approval clears the project to proceed to permitting and construction coordination in accordance with ARB guidance.